Step-ladder



(No Model.)

J. MOOMEY.

Step Ladder.

No. 241,049. Patented May 3,1881.

$0M %12 J wM gym UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

JOSEPH MOOMY, OF ERIE, PENNSYLVANIA.

STEP-LADDER.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 241,049, dated May 3, 1881.

Application filed October 25, 1880.

To all whom it may concern Be it known that I, JOSEPH MOOMY, a citizen of the United States, residing at Erie, in the county of Erie and State of Pennsylvania, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Step-Ladders; and I do hereby declare the following to be a full, clear, and exact description of the invention, such as will enable others skilled in the art to which it appertains to make and use the same, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, and to letters or figures of reference marked thereon, which form a part of this specification.

This invention relates to step-ladders which are capable of being extended to various lengths; and it consists in an improved construction of the extensible part of the ladder, and also in the combination therewith of improved devices for bracing and sustaining the ladder, all of which will more fully appear in the following description and claims.

In the drawings, Figure l is a vertical section, showing the ladder closed. Fig. 2 is a vertical section, showing the ladder extended. Figs. 3 and 4 are respectively front and rear elevations, showing the ladder folded. Fig. 5 is a side elevation, showing the brace and Figs. 6, 7, and S are details, which will be more fully described.

A and 0 represent the stile and prop of an ordinary step-ladder.

B is the auxiliary and extensible part of the ladder, and slides upon the stile A, andis provided with steps b, which are pivoted at b, and can be thrown backto allow the parts B and A to slide upon each other, as shown in Figs. 1 and 3, and by dotted lines in Fig. 7.

The stile A is bifurcated throughout most of its length, as is common, and thus a slot or opening, 0, is formed, which I use as a guideslot, in which lugs e on the extensible stile B fit. The lugs 0 also serve as brackets to sustain the steps when thrown down, as shown in Figs. 2 and 7. The lower step on the part B is not pivoted, but serves as a stop for the upper part of the ladder to rest upon when the ladder is not extended. Any of the steps b can be used as a stop, however, and thus the ladder can be extended one or more steps, as desired.

A guide and stay clip, a, of ordinary con- (No model.)

I struction, is used to strengthen the ladder when fully extended.

The prop O is provided with an extensible part, D, coupled thereto by guide-clips F F in the usual manner. The clips F, which are on the extensible part, are provided with pivoted stop-pins or hooks d, which are adapted to fit in holes 0 in prop G, and are provided with springs h, which cause them to enter theholes automatically. (See Fig. 6 for detail view.) The prop is pivoted to the bracket or top step in any desirable manner.

H is a brace or stay rod for preventing the prop swinging out too far. It is pivoted in the stile A at i, and has its outer end passed loosely through a staple, t, on the prop. Its outer end is formed like a hook, and when the prop is swung outto the limit the hook engages with the staple; but when the prop is swung in the rod H slides loosely in the staple, and folds toward the stile along with the prop.

The extensiblepart B need not be upon the ladder when it is not wanted, as it can be easily drawn oif or put on when desired; and when it is olfit canbe used as aladder, if desired.

The operation is very simple. Supposeitis desired to increase the height of the laddersay the difference between the steps-it will only be necessary to elevate part A a sufficient distance above the first pivoted step to admit ofits being dropped upon lug c. The part A is then dropped upon the step. By pressing upon the lower ends of pins d the points thereof will be removed from the holes 0. The props can then be adjusted to the same height as the stiles. It is noted that the holes 0 in prop O are placed at the same distance from each other as the steps, so that there will be no difficulty in adjusting them to the same height.

What I claim as new is 1. An extensible ladder, one of the parts thereof provided with steps which are pivoted on one of their edges, substantially as shown, whereby as the said pivoted steps are tilted into a vertical position the other part of the ladder can slip by them, and its steps or rungs alone be used when theparts are lapped upon each other.

2. In an extensible step-ladder, the combination of part A, having slots 0, with part B, having lugs 0 and pii'oted steps I), substantially as described.

3. A step-ladder consisting of parts A and B, having slots 0, lugs e, and pivoted steps b, in combination with an extensible prop, substantially as herein described.

4. A step-ladder consisting of parts A and B, having slots 0, lugs e, and pivoted steps b, in combination with props consisting of parts 0 and D, having devices, substantially as described, whereby the length of the props is adjusted and held in place.

5. A step-ladder consisting of parts A and B, having slots 0, lugs e, and pivoted steps b, in combination with props consisting of part 0, having clips F and holes 0, and part D, having clips F, provided with stop-pin d, all combined and arranged substantially as de scribed.

In testimony whereof I affix my signature in presence of two witnesses.

JOSEPH MOOMY.

Witnesses JNo. K. HALLOOK, M. F. HALLECK. 

